Modular display frame structure

ABSTRACT

A modular frame assembly to which panels are attachable to create partitions for dividing a large open area into cubicles, alcoves and other sub-chambers defining an interior environment. The assembly is composed of at least one I-shaped center component having upper and lower pairs of outstretched arms which cooperate with a pair of end components, each formed by a U-shaped element whose extremities have L-shaped pieces swiveled thereon which in the flat state of the end component form a complementary U completing an O-form. When the pieces of the end components are rotated to assume positions at right angles to the U-shaped elements, they define horizontally-extending legs which are connectable to the arms of the center component to create a freestanding frame structure which may be linked to like structures.

Apr. 8, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Palmer MODULAR DISPLAY FRAMESTRUCTURE Inventor: Evan Palmer9 144524 27th Ave.. PrimaryE.\'aminerPrice C. Faw, Jr.

Flushing. N.Y. 11354 Sept. 6, 1974 Appl. No.: 503,630

[57] ABSTRACT A modular frame assembly to which panels are attach- [22]Filed:

able to create partitions for dividing a large open area [52] US. Cl.

[51] Int.

Field of Search shaped element whose extremities have L-shaped piecesswiveled thereon which in the flat state of the end component form acomplementary U completing an O-form. When the pieces of the endcomponents lR 05 53W e 7 mm 12 am 6 Q N .26 55 6 4 6 2 8 5 3 3 2 5 8 5[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS are rotated to assumepositions at right angles to the U-shaped elements, they definehorizontally-extending legs which are connectable to the arms of thecenter 160/135 component to Create a frec'standing frame structureCaligiuri 211/182 X hich may be linked to like structures.

Markson......................... 160/135 X 8 Claims, 11 Drawing FiguresMODULAR DISPLAY FRAME STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates generally to modular frame structures, and moreparticularly to a structural assembly composed ofa set of modularcomponents which all lie flat when disassembled and which define afreestanding display frame when erected.

Flexibility, and versatility are the hallmarks of modern interiorarchitectural design, for when an interior space is intended fordiversified purposes, one must be able to readily transform this spacefrom an existing configuration to another form adapted to a new use. Itis for this reason that buildings designed to present trade shows.exhibitions and other types of displays often make use of detachableinterior walls that may be set up in various patterns to divide anavailable space into temporary sub-chambers or compartments which meetthe needs of the moment.

In public buildings, exhibition halls, department stores and bankingestablishments having large unbroken floor areas, it is often necessary,in order to make a special presentation, to segregate a particular zoneof the available space. One could, of course, by means of temporarypartitions, erect a special enclosure for this purpose, but thisinvolves relatively expensive carpentry and may be disruptive toexisting activity being carried out on the floor.

Attempts have heretofore been made to solve this problem by providingstructural modules or building blocks capable of being interconnected todefine various structural forms. But such modules, even thoughrelatively heavy and cumbersome, have been lacking both in strength andflexibility, so that only a limited number of forms could be created.

Moreover, in evaluating the usefulness of a modular structure, one mustnot only take into account the ability of the structure to create avariety of walls and partitions. but it is also important to considerstorage and transportation factors. If the modular structure, whendisassembled, is bulky and has high space requirements, this addssubstantially to the cost of storing the structure when not in use andto the expense of transporting the structure to an exhibition hall orother site. Because existing modular structures do not break down intoflat, compact pieces, they cannot be stored and transported at low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing it is the main objectof this invention to provide a modular frame structure to which panelsare readily attachable to create freestanding partitions for dividing alarge exhibition area into cubicles, alcoves and other sub-chambers.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a basicmodular frame assembly composed of a set of modular components which alllie flat when disassembled to facilitate storage and transportationthereof.

A significant feature of this invention resides in the fact that thebasic frame structure in combination with attached panels creates acubicle formed by a main wall and end walls extending at right anglesthereto, the end walls extending in the same or opposite directions,depending on how the components are assembled.

Also, an object of the invention is to provide a set of modularcomponents which together form a basic modular frame structure, thecomponents all being formed of light-weight, highstrength tubing wherebythe components may be handled and carried without difficulty.

An important advantage of the invention is that it lends itself to veryrapid assembly without the need for special tools or equipment, and thatthe resultant frame structure even though movable and not in any wayanchored to the floor, the ceiling or the permanent walls of the area inwhich it is installed, is nevertheless stable, safe and pleasing inappearance.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a coupler adapted toattach panels to the structural frame and also suitable for interlinkingtwo or more structural frames in end-to-end or in vertically-stackedrelation to produce a large variety of structural patterns.

Briefly stated, these objects are attained in a basic modular framestructure composed of at least one I- shaped center component havingupper and lower pairs of outstretched arms which cooperate with a pairof end components each formed by a U-shaped element whose extremitieshave L-shaped pieces pivoted thereto which in the flat state have acomplementary U-shaped form. When the pieces of the end components arerotated to assume positions at right angles to the U-shaped elements,the define legs which are connectable to the arms of the centercomponent to create a free-standing frame structure to which wall panelsmay be attached.

OUTLINE OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention aswell as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made tothe following detailed description to be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the components of a modular frame assembly inaccordance with the invention, the components being shown in the flat orcollapsed state;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the end components of the assembly;

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which the components of the assemblyare prepared for erection;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an erected assembly in one mode thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating how a doublewalled panel isattached to the structural frame;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an erected assembly in another modethereof;

FIG. 7 illustrates an erected assembly in conjunction with curved panelsthat define both the main and end display walls;

FIG. 8 illustrates how a group of structural frames in accordance withthe invention may be linked together by couplers;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the coupler;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the coupler and a panel attached thereto;and

FIG. 11 shows a frame assembly having an additional center component.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, a basic modularstructural frame assembly in accordance with the invention is shown, theassembly being composed of a center component, generally designated asCC and a pair of end components EC, and EC All of these components arepreferably fabricated of metal piping such as aluminum or stainlesssteel, although in practice, one may also use synthetic plastic tubingof high strength.

Center component CC has an I formation constituted by a center posthaving a pair oflateral arms 11 and 12 extending from opposite sides ofthe upper end thereof and a like pair of arms 13 and 14 extending fromthe lower end thereof. Thus the center component is provided with upperand lower pairs of outstretched arms. Projecting axially from these armsare connector pins 11a, 12a, 13a and 1401, respectively. All elements ofthe center component lie in the same plane, hence this component may belaid flat for purposes of storage and transportation. Center componentCC is raised when in use so that center post 10 is then vertical.

End components EC, and EC when the structure is disassembled, also lieflat to assume a generally rectangular form as shown in FIG. 1. Each endcomponent is constituted by a U-shaped element 15 whose upper and lowerarms have L-shaped pieces 16 and 17, swiveled thereto which in the flatstate form a complementary U and complete an O-form. Pieces l6 and 17may be rotated relative to the branches of the U-shaped element 15. Asshown in FIG. 2, in regard to piece 16, the pivotal connection toelement 15 may be effected by plugs 15A and 16A forced into the end of abranch of tubular element 15 and the end of piece 16 respectively, theplugs being joined by a pivot pin 18.

When in the flat state, the L-shaped pieces 16 and 17 of the endcomponents together assume a U-formation which complements the U-form ofelement 15, but when the L-shaped pieces 16 and 17 are rotated to assumepositions at right angles to element 15, as shown in FIG. 3, they then'define two pairs of legs which are joinable to the arms 11 to 14 of thecenter component. Connector pins 11A and 14A of the center componentarms enter into the hollow legs of the end components EC, and EC: with asnug fit, or are latched therein by suitable retractable detent means(not shown).

Thus, when end components EC, and EC are joined to center component CCin the manner shown in FIG. 4, the resultant frame structure isfree-standing in that the end components act as right-angle bracketswith respect to the center component. It then becomes possible to attachpanels 19 and 20 to the frame structure to form a main wall serving as apartition and as a display surface onto which posters and other displayobjects may be applied.

Panels 19 and 20 are of double-walled construction, each panel as shownin FIG. 5 having parallel walls 19A and 19B and a spacer 21 sandwichedtherebetween, the upper and lower ends of the spacer falling short ofthe wall to define sockets for accommmodating the horizontally-extendingparallel pipes of the frame structure. The upper socket is deeper thanthe lower socket so that the panel may be elevated to align the lowersocket with the lower pipe. Thus, to install the double-walled panels,it is only necessary to insert them between the parallel pipes of thestructure. Similar double-walled panels may be installed in the endportions of the frame structure to provide end walls closing in thealcove formed thereby.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, the frame structure is assembled sothat the right angle end portions thereof both extend in the samedirection. But a more stable, free-standing arrangement may be providedby assembling the center component with the end components so that theresultant right angle portions extend in opposite directions asillustrated in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6 it will be seen that two panels 22 and 23 are attached to theframe structure by means of doubleended couplers 24, two of the couplersserving to connect the upper edge of each panel to the upper bar of theframe and two to the lower bar.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each double-ended coupler 24 is composed ofa pair of complementary jaws 24A and 248. Each jaw is provided with apair of like arcuate recesses such that when the jaws are joinedtogether by means of a removable bolt 25, the recesses define a pair ofmouths 26 and 27 which are dimensioned to receive and clamp bycylindrical pipes of the frame, such as pipe 11 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.In order to join a pipe to a panel, an elastomeric insert plug 28 isprovided which fits into and is gripped by a mouth of the coupler, theplug having a slot 29 to accommodate the edge of the panel.

Thus coupler 24, without the plug, is adapted to join two frame pipestogether, and thereby to interconnect adjacent frame structures, andwith the plug inserted therein, to join a panel to a pipe. The entireassembly package is constituted by the frame components, the panels andthe couplers all of which may be housed in a shallow box suitable forshipment.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, instead of having separate flat panels todefine the main and side walls of the assembly, one may use curvedpanels 30 and 31 which are held to the bars of the frame structure bycouplers 24 which are so placed as to join all sides of the curvedpanels to the frame. In practice instead of panels of wood or metal toform the walls of the partition, one may use canvas or other textilematerial for this purpose.

FIG. 8 shows one of the many design possibilities inherent in a framestructure in accordance with the invention. Not only is each of thebasic modules capable of being set up so that the end components lie inthe same or in opposite directions, but it is also possible tointerconnect the modules by means of couplers 24 so that the modules arestacked one above the other to increase the height of the partition. Themodules may also be interconnected in end-to-end relation to increasethe length of the partition.

Thus module M, in FIG. 8 is connected in end-to-end relation to module Mand above these modules and attached thereto are modules M and M Whilein FIG. 8, the panels attached to the frames are all curved, in practicethe panel arrangement may be planar, as in FIG. 4. It will beappreciated that because the basic module may be erected with its endcomponents in the same or in opposite directions, because the endcomponents of adjacent modules may be joined together in face-to-facerelation, in opposition or in angular relationship, and because themodules may be interconnected vertically or horizontally, the range ofpossible structural configurations is very broad, and one may createinterior environments which are of relatively simple design or of greatcomplexity.

In the modules previously described, the end components EC, and EC areunited to a single center component CC. In order to produce longerstructural frames, one may provide two or more serially-connected centercomponents such as center components CC, and CC shown in FIG. 11.

While there has been shown and described preferred embodiments inaccordance with the invention, it will be appreciated that many changesand modifications may be made therein without, however, departing fromthe essential spirit thereof.

For example one may use coupler 24 not merely to interconnect adjoiningpipes or to attach panels to the pipes but also to mount light fixturesand other appliances on the pipes. For this purpose the light fixture,loud speaker or other appliance is secured to the coupler by means of asuitable bracket having a bar component which is clamped between onepair of jaws of the coupler, the other pair of jaws being clamped on theframe pipe. The light fixture itself may be swiveled on the bracket bymeans of a gimbal so that one may orient the light fixture as desired.

1 claim:

1. A modular frame assembly to which panels are attachable to createfree-standing partitions, said assembly comprising:

A. at least one I-shaped center component having upper and lower pairsof outstretched arms, and

B. a pair of end components each constituted by a U shaped element whoseextremities have L-shaped pieces swiveled thereon which in the flatstate of the end component form a complementary U, the pieces of eachend component being rotatable to assume positions at right angles to theU-shaped e]- ement to define horizontally extending legs which areconnectable to upper and lower arms of the center component.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said components are allformed of metal piping.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said arms are providedwith connecting pins receivable in the legs of the end components.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said panels are ofdouble-walled construction and are provided at the upper and lower endsthereof with sockets to accommodate the piping of the frame.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, further including couplers toattach said panels to said frame and to attach adjacent frames to eachother, each coupler being formed by a pair of interconnectable jawpieces defining a pair of mouths dimensioned to accept and clamp saidpiping or a plug of resilient material having a slot to receive an edgeof the panel.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pieces of said endcomponents are rotated to assume positions in the same direction.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pieces of said endcomponents are rotated to assume positions in opposite directions.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said panels are curvedto form with said center component a main wall and to form end wallswith said end compo-

1. A modular frame assembly to which panels are attachable to createfree-standing partitions, said assembly comprising: A. at least oneI-shaped center component having upper and lower pairs of outstretchedarms, and B. a pair of end components each constituted by a U-shapedelement whose extremities have L-shaped pieces swiveled thereon which inthe flat state of the end component form a complementary U, the piecesof each end component being rotatable to assume positions at rightangles to the U-shaped element to define horizontally extending legswhich are connectable to upper and lower arms of the center component.2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said components are allformed of metal piping.
 3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, whereinsaid arms are provided with connecting pins receivable in the legs ofthe end components.
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein saidpanels are of double-walled construction and are provided at the upperand lower ends thereof with sockets to accommodate the piping of theframe.
 5. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, further includingcouplers to attach said panels to said frame and to attach adjacentframes to each other, each coupler being formed by a pair ofinterconnectable jaw pieces defining a pair of mouths dimensioned toaccept and clamp said piping or a plug of resilient material having aslot to receive an edge of the panel.
 6. An assembly as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the pieces of said end components are rotated to assumepositions in the same direction.
 7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1,wherein the pieces of said end components are rotated to assumepositions in opposite directions.
 8. An assembly as set forth in claim1, wherein said panels are curved to form with said center component amain wall and to form end walls with said end components.